Governor expects docs to use e-prescribing soon

All doctors in New Hampshire are expected to use electronic prescription systems by 2008, according to a recent announcement by Gov. John Lynch (D) and Citizens Health Initiative.

About 80% of pharmacies already have the technology to accommodate e-prescriptions, said one member of the initiative, which includes doctors, pharmacists, insurers and representatives from hospitals.

E-prescribing "will improve healthcare quality and help save lives, while at the same time reducing healthcare costs and improving the efficiency of our healthcare system," the governor said. E-prescribing is the electronic information exchange between the prescriber and the pharmacy. The healthcare community, including long-term care, is working to implement e-prescribing in facilities.

Drug substitutions saved the government $13 million last year, but more drug substitutions under Medicare Part B would have saved an additional $6 million, the Office of Inspector General for Health and Human Services concluded in a recent report to Congress.